Congratulations to Allison Bayer, Ph.D., and Edward Phelps, Ph.D., on receiving a Research Opportunity Seed Fund (ROSF) for the UF College of Medicine Office of Research’s 2026 cycle! Read a description of their project below.
“In people living with Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin‑producing cells in the pancreas. We need innovative new ways to teach the immune system to stop destructive attacks while keeping the body protected from infections. Our team is looking at a special type of immune cell, called regulatory T cells, that when combined with other immune-modulating agents, can reverse autoimmune diabetes in experimental models. We will study how these regulatory T cells function directly with the pancreas. To see this happening inside the native tissue, we will use a fresh, live slice of the pancreas that will allow us to observe these regulatory T cells in action in real time. This project will help guide the development of next-generation, targeted cellular therapies for Type 1 diabetes.”
We are excited to see Dr. Bayer and Dr. Phelps’ research lead to breakthroughs for individuals living with Type 1 diabetes and are honored to recognize their achievement! Learn more about the award here.